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16/05/2017

Taking a Serve with Tennis for Kids

Tennis is one of those fantastic sports that offers those life skills that help develop not only hand, eye, ball coordination but also camaraderie, sportsmanship and helps boost a child's self esteem. Having learnt how to play tennis when I was younger it is something I have been keen to get my own children involved with, even if it was to just have a taster (and hopefully be taken) by this sport.

When it comes to sports and kids it can be overwhelming as where to start, which sport to pick and will they enjoy it enough to make it worthwhile as it takes time to get to grips with things. I am sure we are not alone here when I say we have paid up front for a term for something my eldest has simply not got on with when it came down to the reality of learning a certain sport which is why the Tennis for Kids program is fantastic.

The Lawn Tennis Association contacted me and about its great programme which offers a 6 week taster course to help kids get to grips with the basics under the guidance of full trained tennis coaches at local clubs and what is best it's all free, the kids even get their own tennis racket if they finish the 6 week course.

We are just about to go into week 4 and I can honestly say my son is hooked, he has come on leaps and bounds and can now hit the ball with his forearm and back arm and is starting to be able to do a short rally with his peers. What I really like is that there is the opportunity to carry on with the club once the six weeks are over and I think this is the perfect amount of time to know whether its the right sport for your child and so far things are going really well and in a positive direction with my eldest.

My eldest is really looking forward to receiving his tennis racket near the end of this course which is designed in the colours of the Union flag. During the course they also get given a little quiz sheet to take home each week to help them discover famous tennis players, world stadiums and tennis terminology. The course runs on weekdays as well as weekends and all you need to do is type in your postcode and a whole range of options will come up, I think there were more than 6 clubs all within 15-20 mins drive of us offering the 6 weeks course.

I’m working with the Lawn Tennis Association and BritMums in a paid relationship, showcasing the FREE tennis sessions for children you can take up at your local club. The Tennis For Kids programme filled up quickly in 2017, but the LTA has since released limited additional courses so check https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/tennisforkids for places at your local club. There are plenty of other great ways to get involved in tennis over this summer. Great British Tennis Weekend will be back on the 13th and 14th of May and also the 22nd and 23rd of July.

It's a great way to see if the kids like it before committing to a new sport because as you pointed out - we can end up paying out for lessons and equipment only to find our kids don't want to stick with things! I love how these sessions give the kids a racket at the end of the course - what a great incentive to see it through.

What a fun thing to take tennis lessons! I remember when I was a kid, my mom signed my brother up for all kinds of things .. including tennis. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a something that stuck and I still play today.

It is such a great programme isn't it! My son is loving his free sessions and is slightly obsessed with his free tennis racket ;) I completely agree with you, I think six sessions is the best amount of time to establish whether its a sport they are interested in pursuing. My son wants to continue which I'm really pleased about

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